Effects of Rolling and Heat Treatment Processes on Microstructure and Properties of Neutron-Shielding Mg-15Gd Alloy

LU Huabing; LE Yunlin; NIU Enci; ZHANG Wei; MAO Jianjun; WU Lu; SHE Jia

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.07.068

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Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (7) : 68-80. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.07.068

Light Alloy Forming

Effects of Rolling and Heat Treatment Processes on Microstructure and Properties of Neutron-Shielding Mg-15Gd Alloy

LU Huabing^1a, LE Yunlin², NIU Enci^1a, ZHANG Wei³, MAO Jianjun³, WU Lu³, SHE Jia^1a,1b,*

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Abstract

The work aims to investigate the synergistic effects of rolling and heat treatment processes on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and neutron shielding performance of Mg-15Gd alloy, so as to address the critical issues of poor shielding uniformity and insufficient strength. The as-cast Mg-15Gd alloy was subject to solution treatment at 500 ℃ for 6 h, followed by warm rolling with a 25% reduction at 150 ℃, and then peak aging treatment at 225 ℃ for 120 h. The property evolution was systematically evaluated through microstructure analysis, tensile testing, and neutron shielding tests (experimental and SuperMC simulation). The results demonstrated that the “solution+rolling+aging” process effectively dissolved coarse Mg₅Gd phases at grain boundaries and reduced Gd element segregation. Rolling, as the key step, significantly refined the alloy grains, reducing the average grain size from 180 μm (as-cast) to 71 μm, and induced a strong basal texture. The synergistic effect of grain refinement and texture enhancement resulted in the optimal comprehensive performance. Even when the thickness was reduced to 3 mm after rolling, the alloy achieved the highest shielding coefficient (K=22.7), linear attenuation coefficient (μ=10.41 cm^-1), and tensile strength (197.2 MPa). In conclusion, the findings indicate that the composite process of “solution+ rolling+aging” can simultaneously improve both the mechanical and neutron shielding properties of Mg-15Gd alloy. Rolling is identified as the crucial step for achieving grain refinement and strong texture. Its combination with heat treatment provides an effective technical pathway for developing high-performance, lightweight neutron shielding structural materials.

Key words

neutron shielding / rare earth magnesium alloy / rolling / heat treatment / mechanical properties

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LU Huabing, LE Yunlin, NIU Enci, ZHANG Wei, MAO Jianjun, WU Lu, SHE Jia. Effects of Rolling and Heat Treatment Processes on Microstructure and Properties of Neutron-Shielding Mg-15Gd Alloy[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2026, 18(7): 68-80 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.07.068

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